IEP specific question -- different test format

[Anonymous]

DC has dysgraphia/dyscalc/low processing speed. Did private neuropsych testing (last spring) and based on report/previous performance (prior grades) was denied an IEP but granted a 504.

DC has high Verbal (90+%) and Average (slightly higher end) IQ. They frequently bomb multiple choice exams. Other assessments more of a mixed bag, but generally better.
Many times solid command to talk about content at a deep level. Prep appears to not matter, at all...

Is it fair to request an IEP review to look at different test modes? Or is that just me being a pushy privileged parent.

[Anonymous]

An IEP is for specialized instruction. What you are asking for is some type of accommodation. Unless you can determine that executive functioning deficits are impacting your child's access to the curriculum maybe? But if it's really just an issue around testing I don't think you can get anything more than testing accommodations. Talk with the 504 team about your concerns and see if they are willing to provide the type of accommodations you are asking for. You are asking for "alternate ways to demonstrate understanding."

[Anonymous]

Ask about taking the test in a different room where the child can talk to themselves. I found reading outloud the question and answers helped a ton on multiple choice exams.

[Anonymous]

Your child is going to have to take multiple choice tests. I’d suggest that you consider trying a test prep center to teach your Child the strategies. There are tons of options for this.

[Anonymous]

Age?

[Anonymous]

What exactly is the problem in the multiple choice exams? Give some at home. What happens? Time? Needs to talk out loud?

[Anonymous]

Better would be an IEP goal around learning to take multiple choice tests. How does she do if she covers up the options, answers the question in her own words, then looks for the choice that's closest to her answer?

[Anonymous]

Honestly, that is just you being a pushy parent. Work with your kid on a goal.

If this is a middle or HS kid, are you ever planning on them taking any type of standardized test at all? Any type of PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP or IB test? You can’t rewrite those tests. Even the SOLs if they are in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They frequently bomb multiple choice exams. Other assessments more of a mixed bag, but generally better.
Many times solid command to talk about content at a deep level.

Ex teacher here. OP does your DD have access to old tests? Can you figure out what she is doing? Is she mis-reading the questions? Getting distracted by irrelevant details in the question or from her memory of the content? Is she confusing the answer options? Is she having trouble using logic to choose the answer? You say she can talk about the content at a deep level, but is there a content gap between what you said she can talk about and what the test is asking for?

Try to do this at home with her. Whatever you find out should drive what to work on with her. It can help her with tests at school but also in future for SAT, AP, etc.